Best New Bass Gear in May 2025: Spector Euro CST, Pino Palladino Strings, and More

June was another big month for new bass gear with new axes, strings, pedals, and amps. As always, No Treble was on top of the coverage.

Our most read gear story was on Spector’s new limited edition Euro CST Basses, which bring USA Custom Shop vibes to their more accessible Euro line with spalted maple tops and Darkglass preamps. Next up, readers were drooling over the Grand Tour Bass, a semi-hollowbody collaboration between Grez Guitars and gear guru Ian Martin Allison.

Other highlights include the new Ernie Ball Pino Palladino Smoothe Flats bass strings, a 2025 update for the Abasi Concepts Larada 5, new strings from D’Addario and La Bella, and a new batch of Whamolas. Whether you’re a fan of vintage-style boutiques or looking for the latest in bass cab technology, we’ve got you covered.

1. Spector’s Limited Euro CST Basses: Spalted Maple Tops, Darkglass Tone, Custom Shop Detail

Spector introduces the Euro CST basses: a limited-edition line featuring spalted maple, Czech construction, and electronics by Darkglass.

2. Vintage Look, Modern Edge: Ian Martin Allison’s New Grez Bass Delivers on All Fronts

Ian Martin Allison partnered with Grez Guitars to design a semi-hollow bass that combines classic tonewood aesthetics with modern performance. See the full specs and demo video.

3. Ernie Ball Releases Pino Palladino Smoothie Flats Bass Strings: “They Have a Real Kind of Thump”

Ernie Ball’s Smoothie Flats, created with Pino Palladino, are now available in two gauges, featuring flatwound construction and a low-tension feel.

4. Abasi Concepts Unveils 2025 Larada 5 Bass With New Finishes and Upgrades

Abasi Concepts has updated the Larada 5 Bass for 2025 with new finishes, roasted maple necks, and refined control layouts for improved playability.

5. D’Addario Updates NYXL Line with New Option for Modern Bass Setups

D'Addario expands its NYXL bass string series with new multi-scale sets aimed at players using fanned-fret and extended-scale instruments.

6. Catalinbread Wake Chorus: An Eight-Voice Pedal with Octave Depth for Bassists and Shoegaze Fans

Catalinbread's Wake pedal brings an eight-voice chorus and octave-down blend, delivering subtle, always-on tone for bassists and guitarists alike.

7. Nirvana, Weather Report, and Fleetwood Mac Basses Surface in Stunning New Auction

Julien’s Music Icons auction will include historic basses played by Krist Novoselic, Alphonso Johnson, John McVie, and others.

8. New from La Bella: Stang Bass Strings Offer Five Sets for Vintage Mustang Basses

La Bella’s Stang Bass Strings are built for vintage Mustang basses, offering five classic sets tailored to the through-body bridge design.

9. New Whamola Drop Announced for Memorial Day Weekend: Here’s What’s New

Pachyderm Instruments will release two new batches of the Les Claypool Whamola this Memorial Day weekend, featuring upgraded specs and design tweaks.

10. Trickfish Introduces L-Series Cabinets: Lightweight Builds, Full-Ranged Tone

With neodymium drivers and pro-grade tone, Trickfish’s lightweight L-Series cabinets combine portability and performance.